Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
pictures of my puppy
We found this bottle on the street coming home from the park. It was just too funny so I had to take a picture!
Kenji's Christmas present
This is how she sleeps...
She is just super cool with my shades on. I want to get her her own pair of hot pink glasses.
On our road trip from Roseville. Sadie looking out at one of the channels we crossed.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Pictures from the Dog Whisperer
Cesar, Kenji and myself. We didn't purposefully match. Thats just how good we are!
Daddy....One of the coolest moments of my life. This dog is one of my heroes.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Dog Whisperer
For me the day started off at 6:00am, I woke up with a stomach ache and nerves. Took a shower and did my hair and make-up for the first time in a couple of months.
The crew arrived at 8:30 but didn't come inside until 9:06 so for 36 minutes I was pacing and waiting for them to come to the freaking door. I was unbelievably nervous.
They finally came to the door and a train of 6 people came in and filled the living room with Sadie barking up a storm in the background. They explained the game plan and began filling the house with filming equipment. Chris (one of the video guys) filmed Sadie's behavior, trying to get her to be affectionate with Kenji, myself and Laura. It didn't work so well. We filmed her barking and taking treats then went off to the park where he filmed her off leash. She was a lot more friendly with him there and with the rest of us. She also attacked Duke when I gave him attention. After that we went back to house for the interviews.
I was first --got in my chair and had the make-up lady "powder my nose" I felt like a movie star, all mic-ed up, crowded with bright lights and getting my make-up done. My interview lasted about 20 minutes where I told the many stories of my beloved dog. Then it was Kenji's turn, then Laura's.
All of our interviews required serious furniture adjustments so make sure to look for them when you watch the episode.
After all of the interviews were done the room was re-arranged one last time --this time though, it was for the big consultation with Cesar. The 3 of us waited patiently for him (he was getting his make-up done) when he walked in. It was amazing -- he looked just like he did on the show, but he was in my living room, and she shook my hand! he sat down, adjusted his mic and we began with the infamous "How can I help you?" question.
I began and we had a pretty lengthy conversation about Sadie's behaviors, the history of dogs, roles of people and dogs and so on. Not sure how much of it will be used for the actual show....we shall see. After the cameras were turned off we continued our converstaion for about 15 minutes or so where Cesar began to hit me where it hurt. He revealed a lot of stuf about me and my selfish desires. That in a relationship you need to care about what the other person, in this case, other dog, cares about and what they need to make them happy. I was completely called it. I wasn't caring or even thinking about Sadie really needed. I was a typical owner, I was part of the problem.
It was lunch time where I had time to think about everything he said and get in the mindset I needed to be in - Pack Leader.
An hour or so later they came back and Cesar walks in the house with none other than Daddy. I just about cried. I was more starstruck with him than I was with Cesar! Sadie and Duke did their introductions where Daddy just showed the way. He put them in their place when they needed to be and tolerated them when it was okay. He walked around our house and Sadie followed while Cesar described the behavior that was taking place.
About 15 minutes later Sadie came and sat at my feet completely calm and then laid down. In front of EVERYONE! It was great to see her so relaxed in front of a room full of strangers. We talked some more and he gave us pointers on what behavior is good to reward and what isn't.
Kenji and I then left so Laura could work on things while we were "gone". 15 minutes later we came back in and saw her socializing outside with all of the people. Amazing. Cesar again shared some pointers and quizzed us. I think I passed....
We went back inside and then Sadie followed. And came and laid down at our feet again. Amazing.
We went into my room to see how she acts when she gets territorial. He corrected her staring and pre-attack behavior. It was great to have my eyes open to behavior I never noticed before.
It was at that moment where he said he was done. That Sadie was an "easy" case and things should be good from here on out. Amazing! While the crew was setting up for the last interviews Kenji and I had a chance to talk with him about somethings which was great. He was such a great, easy going guy. He did his last remarks while we went out and took pictures with Daddy, came back in took pictures with him and then he went on his marry way.
He left us with a signed copy of his book "A Member of the Family", a DVD of Mastering Leadership, T-shirts and a "perscription" where he wrote down all of the things we talked about and then signed it.
So Great. The show is suppose to air sometime in 6 months. In 2 months Todd (the field producer) will be out again to film our "follow up".
I'm so happy with things that happened today. Cesar helped so much, in my personal life and in the life with Sadie. I can't wait to do more things with her and hopefully eventually train her to be a therapy dog.
The crew arrived at 8:30 but didn't come inside until 9:06 so for 36 minutes I was pacing and waiting for them to come to the freaking door. I was unbelievably nervous.
They finally came to the door and a train of 6 people came in and filled the living room with Sadie barking up a storm in the background. They explained the game plan and began filling the house with filming equipment. Chris (one of the video guys) filmed Sadie's behavior, trying to get her to be affectionate with Kenji, myself and Laura. It didn't work so well. We filmed her barking and taking treats then went off to the park where he filmed her off leash. She was a lot more friendly with him there and with the rest of us. She also attacked Duke when I gave him attention. After that we went back to house for the interviews.
I was first --got in my chair and had the make-up lady "powder my nose" I felt like a movie star, all mic-ed up, crowded with bright lights and getting my make-up done. My interview lasted about 20 minutes where I told the many stories of my beloved dog. Then it was Kenji's turn, then Laura's.
All of our interviews required serious furniture adjustments so make sure to look for them when you watch the episode.
After all of the interviews were done the room was re-arranged one last time --this time though, it was for the big consultation with Cesar. The 3 of us waited patiently for him (he was getting his make-up done) when he walked in. It was amazing -- he looked just like he did on the show, but he was in my living room, and she shook my hand! he sat down, adjusted his mic and we began with the infamous "How can I help you?" question.
I began and we had a pretty lengthy conversation about Sadie's behaviors, the history of dogs, roles of people and dogs and so on. Not sure how much of it will be used for the actual show....we shall see. After the cameras were turned off we continued our converstaion for about 15 minutes or so where Cesar began to hit me where it hurt. He revealed a lot of stuf about me and my selfish desires. That in a relationship you need to care about what the other person, in this case, other dog, cares about and what they need to make them happy. I was completely called it. I wasn't caring or even thinking about Sadie really needed. I was a typical owner, I was part of the problem.
It was lunch time where I had time to think about everything he said and get in the mindset I needed to be in - Pack Leader.
An hour or so later they came back and Cesar walks in the house with none other than Daddy. I just about cried. I was more starstruck with him than I was with Cesar! Sadie and Duke did their introductions where Daddy just showed the way. He put them in their place when they needed to be and tolerated them when it was okay. He walked around our house and Sadie followed while Cesar described the behavior that was taking place.
About 15 minutes later Sadie came and sat at my feet completely calm and then laid down. In front of EVERYONE! It was great to see her so relaxed in front of a room full of strangers. We talked some more and he gave us pointers on what behavior is good to reward and what isn't.
Kenji and I then left so Laura could work on things while we were "gone". 15 minutes later we came back in and saw her socializing outside with all of the people. Amazing. Cesar again shared some pointers and quizzed us. I think I passed....
We went back inside and then Sadie followed. And came and laid down at our feet again. Amazing.
We went into my room to see how she acts when she gets territorial. He corrected her staring and pre-attack behavior. It was great to have my eyes open to behavior I never noticed before.
It was at that moment where he said he was done. That Sadie was an "easy" case and things should be good from here on out. Amazing! While the crew was setting up for the last interviews Kenji and I had a chance to talk with him about somethings which was great. He was such a great, easy going guy. He did his last remarks while we went out and took pictures with Daddy, came back in took pictures with him and then he went on his marry way.
He left us with a signed copy of his book "A Member of the Family", a DVD of Mastering Leadership, T-shirts and a "perscription" where he wrote down all of the things we talked about and then signed it.
So Great. The show is suppose to air sometime in 6 months. In 2 months Todd (the field producer) will be out again to film our "follow up".
I'm so happy with things that happened today. Cesar helped so much, in my personal life and in the life with Sadie. I can't wait to do more things with her and hopefully eventually train her to be a therapy dog.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
running
Have you ever felt that you just want to run away? And keep running until you find yourself in a completely new place, with new people and new expectations? This has been my dream for the last week.
Though I know God is faithful and good and gives everlasting joy I still find myself overwhelmed with depression and guilt. How do I chose what to do?
My heart is torn between loves
My mind is torn between thoughts
and My body is torn between places.
Will I ever have peace about one thing in my life? Will God ever give me a break from this anxiety and grief? What sin have I welcomed into my life that has left me with this sort of pain? How can God free me from it? How can I follow him knowing that I will hurt other people?
Jesus take me up to the heavens so I can be made whole.
Though I know God is faithful and good and gives everlasting joy I still find myself overwhelmed with depression and guilt. How do I chose what to do?
My heart is torn between loves
My mind is torn between thoughts
and My body is torn between places.
Will I ever have peace about one thing in my life? Will God ever give me a break from this anxiety and grief? What sin have I welcomed into my life that has left me with this sort of pain? How can God free me from it? How can I follow him knowing that I will hurt other people?
Jesus take me up to the heavens so I can be made whole.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Reflection
Several weeks have now come and gone and I would say that I have completely adjusted to being back in the states. However not a day goes by where I don't think about the houses we cleaned, the people we met and the lives Christ touched.
The first week in Real Action was probably my favorite week. There was a plan, a goal and team all with the same purpose: to bring Glory to Christ. Over 100 people from all over Europe and even the states were there to work together and bring hope to Sandomierz. So many friendships were made and I think that forever all of us will look back on that week and know that the Lord was with us and blessed our work there.
The projects consisted of fence painting, playground
d cleaning, light post and railing painting and house/apartment renovating. The picture to the left is of the man whose house we cleaned. The conditions in which he lived were not humane. There was no toilet, no kitchen, spiders everywhere, no shower, no running water, garbage filled the house. This man seemed to be the poster child for being hopeless. We had the chance to share the love of Christ and clean his house, paint the walls, clean out and paint his room where there was tar on the ceiling and walls from a coal stove in his room.
We hope to remain in contact with him through postcards and e-mails and to maybe see him next year we are there for Real Action 2010.
The following week we went back to Zakosciele and helped out at the camp. There were no PROeM camps during this time because there was a college group using the facility. This group have representatives from over 50 countries in Europe and were there to be trained to go back to their college campuses and lead other students to Christ. We had the chance to get to know some of them, and serve them in any way we could. It was during this week that we cleaned a house in a near by town.
This house belonged to elderly handicapped man who has been completely forgotten by society. Upon arriving to his house we all had to run out because the smell was so bad. There were flys every where, trash everywhere; filth everywhere. When we got there the man was sitting on his futon watching a polish sit com, wearing old cut off shorts, snow boots and no T-shirt. A pot belly was evidence of heavy beer drinking and minimal food intake. He could barley walk so his form of transportation was shuffling across the black floors.
The first mission was to throw everything away, and that we did. A group worked on the kitchen were there was pots on the stove with unidentifiable food plastered to the bottom. Some pan's only salvation was the garbage. Old packaged Matza bread was the only edible food insight. Aged apple cores decorated the living room with flys swarming around.
For the first hour or so he thought we were trying to steal his belongings even after multiple attempts of explaining what we were doing. He tried to get dressed when we realized he had company, however he didn't know how to. His collard shirt was inside out and his left arm never found the correct hole and resided with his neck in the larger hole stretching over his bony shoulder. I offered my services but his lack of English and understanding, and my lack of polish and understanding, nothing came of it.
He owned two refrigerators, only one occupied and working. This experience was one I did not partake in. When opened a smell filled the house that caused stomachs to turn, eyes to water and mouths to cough, that is to anyone new in the house. He had no problem drinking and beer and an old sandwich from this case. When some people attempted to clean it they found a rotten chicken, or chicken bones, at the bottom sitting in a pool of some liquid crawling with maggots. The rest of the items were unidentified but the worked had to cover their faces with cloth and hold their breath as they hosed it down.
Half way through the day we noticed a room attached to the kitchen, it was locked but keys were found on the accompanied window. We were all curious to see what was kept behind the locked door if the stuff in the open was that atrocious. To our surprise it was a bedroom that was cleaner than any of us could even imagine. It seems to have been untouched for years, but had to have been because of the lack of dust and dirt. A large teddy bear sat on a shelf overlooking dolls, an immaculate bed and carpet. We quickly shut the door afraid of upsetting our new friend and not having a chance to really inspect it. Shortly after someone noticed the calendars in his room, all still left on the year 2005.
The sheets in his cupboards were still clean and nicely folded, the sheets on his bed seem to have been soiled for years. Did some one leave him? Did they die? Could he possibly have absolutely no one to look after him? I found pictures on a shelf from years ago of him and a woman. Was this his wife? The only person in the world who cared? It amazes me that there was no justice for this man, this human. That he is completely content with living like this.
With only a couple more hours to go in the day he disappeared behind his barn of chickens and pigeons to return with a round yellow tub of green apples he picked from his tree. His main source of food. It was his way of saying thank you. A more sacrificing act then I have seen in many Americans, including myself.
We were able to bring him new groceries, clothes and bedding that day. And as we left we out a new shirt on him and his smile grew to a size I hadn't seen all day. He repeated as we left "its clean, its clean" with grateful eyes.
I left that afternoon with tears and a broken heart. What if this was my grandfather? My father? My brother? My husband? So hopeless, clueless, abandoned.
We returned several days later to bring him a new loaf of bread and a polish magazine with testimonies of people who found Jesus, praying that he will be able to read it and understand.
That experience is one that is in my mind every day, I pray Jesus rescues him from the pain he is living in and finds rest.
The third week was English camp. Fun times. I was in a cabin with 6 10 year old polish girls. So much fun. I couldn't understand them so much, and they couldn't understand me but I had a chance to give them hugs and show them I
was there for them, and for Jesus
These are the girls who were in my cabin. Laura, the girl in the snoopy shirt was the one who shared a room with me. We became friends. It was her first camp ever, and she had no friends. I was able to really relate to her so I befriended her. As the week went on she was able to be friends with all of the other girls and had such a great time. We are keeping in contact through e-mail and I hope to see her next year at camp!
So many amazing times happened in Poland and I praise God for the opportunity, the support and friendships. God is so much bigger than we can imagine, His majesty, hope and power was displayed for this 3 weeks and I know it is continually displayed through PROeM and all of the believers there.
The first week in Real Action was probably my favorite week. There was a plan, a goal and team all with the same purpose: to bring Glory to Christ. Over 100 people from all over Europe and even the states were there to work together and bring hope to Sandomierz. So many friendships were made and I think that forever all of us will look back on that week and know that the Lord was with us and blessed our work there.
The projects consisted of fence painting, playground
d cleaning, light post and railing painting and house/apartment renovating. The picture to the left is of the man whose house we cleaned. The conditions in which he lived were not humane. There was no toilet, no kitchen, spiders everywhere, no shower, no running water, garbage filled the house. This man seemed to be the poster child for being hopeless. We had the chance to share the love of Christ and clean his house, paint the walls, clean out and paint his room where there was tar on the ceiling and walls from a coal stove in his room.We hope to remain in contact with him through postcards and e-mails and to maybe see him next year we are there for Real Action 2010.
The following week we went back to Zakosciele and helped out at the camp. There were no PROeM camps during this time because there was a college group using the facility. This group have representatives from over 50 countries in Europe and were there to be trained to go back to their college campuses and lead other students to Christ. We had the chance to get to know some of them, and serve them in any way we could. It was during this week that we cleaned a house in a near by town.
This house belonged to elderly handicapped man who has been completely forgotten by society. Upon arriving to his house we all had to run out because the smell was so bad. There were flys every where, trash everywhere; filth everywhere. When we got there the man was sitting on his futon watching a polish sit com, wearing old cut off shorts, snow boots and no T-shirt. A pot belly was evidence of heavy beer drinking and minimal food intake. He could barley walk so his form of transportation was shuffling across the black floors.
The first mission was to throw everything away, and that we did. A group worked on the kitchen were there was pots on the stove with unidentifiable food plastered to the bottom. Some pan's only salvation was the garbage. Old packaged Matza bread was the only edible food insight. Aged apple cores decorated the living room with flys swarming around.
For the first hour or so he thought we were trying to steal his belongings even after multiple attempts of explaining what we were doing. He tried to get dressed when we realized he had company, however he didn't know how to. His collard shirt was inside out and his left arm never found the correct hole and resided with his neck in the larger hole stretching over his bony shoulder. I offered my services but his lack of English and understanding, and my lack of polish and understanding, nothing came of it.
He owned two refrigerators, only one occupied and working. This experience was one I did not partake in. When opened a smell filled the house that caused stomachs to turn, eyes to water and mouths to cough, that is to anyone new in the house. He had no problem drinking and beer and an old sandwich from this case. When some people attempted to clean it they found a rotten chicken, or chicken bones, at the bottom sitting in a pool of some liquid crawling with maggots. The rest of the items were unidentified but the worked had to cover their faces with cloth and hold their breath as they hosed it down.
Half way through the day we noticed a room attached to the kitchen, it was locked but keys were found on the accompanied window. We were all curious to see what was kept behind the locked door if the stuff in the open was that atrocious. To our surprise it was a bedroom that was cleaner than any of us could even imagine. It seems to have been untouched for years, but had to have been because of the lack of dust and dirt. A large teddy bear sat on a shelf overlooking dolls, an immaculate bed and carpet. We quickly shut the door afraid of upsetting our new friend and not having a chance to really inspect it. Shortly after someone noticed the calendars in his room, all still left on the year 2005.
The sheets in his cupboards were still clean and nicely folded, the sheets on his bed seem to have been soiled for years. Did some one leave him? Did they die? Could he possibly have absolutely no one to look after him? I found pictures on a shelf from years ago of him and a woman. Was this his wife? The only person in the world who cared? It amazes me that there was no justice for this man, this human. That he is completely content with living like this.
With only a couple more hours to go in the day he disappeared behind his barn of chickens and pigeons to return with a round yellow tub of green apples he picked from his tree. His main source of food. It was his way of saying thank you. A more sacrificing act then I have seen in many Americans, including myself.
We were able to bring him new groceries, clothes and bedding that day. And as we left we out a new shirt on him and his smile grew to a size I hadn't seen all day. He repeated as we left "its clean, its clean" with grateful eyes.
I left that afternoon with tears and a broken heart. What if this was my grandfather? My father? My brother? My husband? So hopeless, clueless, abandoned.
We returned several days later to bring him a new loaf of bread and a polish magazine with testimonies of people who found Jesus, praying that he will be able to read it and understand.
That experience is one that is in my mind every day, I pray Jesus rescues him from the pain he is living in and finds rest.
The third week was English camp. Fun times. I was in a cabin with 6 10 year old polish girls. So much fun. I couldn't understand them so much, and they couldn't understand me but I had a chance to give them hugs and show them I
was there for them, and for Jesus
These are the girls who were in my cabin. Laura, the girl in the snoopy shirt was the one who shared a room with me. We became friends. It was her first camp ever, and she had no friends. I was able to really relate to her so I befriended her. As the week went on she was able to be friends with all of the other girls and had such a great time. We are keeping in contact through e-mail and I hope to see her next year at camp!So many amazing times happened in Poland and I praise God for the opportunity, the support and friendships. God is so much bigger than we can imagine, His majesty, hope and power was displayed for this 3 weeks and I know it is continually displayed through PROeM and all of the believers there.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
The Final Stretch
Well here we are, it is Saturday night and we are in our last weekend here in Poland. The kids come tomorrow and our week in the English camp begins. Kenji also leaves tomorrow and I am having a really hard time accepting it. He has been such a support for me here so I am nervous and excited to see how I am going to respond to him being gone. I am trying to trust that God is going to use me this week even without Kenji, the past two weeks have been so amazing serving God together; I think we had a total of 7 people believe we were married and continue to refer to us as husband and wife even though we corrected them.
Anyways it has been so clear these past couple of weeks that God is sovereign over everything and there is nothing we can do to run from Him -- we are completely out of control and as terrifying as this truth is there is a deep sense of comfort to be found in Him. This week I am going to be as far away from my comfort zone as I have ever been before and I know that there is nothing I can do besides find my identity in Him and rest in that.
God is good and His mercy endures forever.
Anyways it has been so clear these past couple of weeks that God is sovereign over everything and there is nothing we can do to run from Him -- we are completely out of control and as terrifying as this truth is there is a deep sense of comfort to be found in Him. This week I am going to be as far away from my comfort zone as I have ever been before and I know that there is nothing I can do besides find my identity in Him and rest in that.
God is good and His mercy endures forever.
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